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How to Make a Magnetic Word Practice Board

Word practice games teach basic skills that are necessary for improving reading ability. However, even the simplest educational games are often expensive and may only be sold at teaching supply shops. With a few basic supplies from your local craft or dollar store, you can easily create your own magnetic word practice board in an afternoon. Allow your child to help with the magnetic word practice board and you can enjoy an easy, educational craft project together.

Things You'll Need

Magnetic message board (11 inches by 13 inches or larger)
Soap and water
Flat, flexible white craft magnets
Colored permanent markers
Scissors

Instructions

Making the Magnetic Word Practice Board
- 1
  Clean the magnet board well with soap and water and allow to air dry.
- 2
  Cut the sheet of flexible craft magnet material into strips about a 1/2 inch wide--if the magnets are pre-cut, skip this step.
- 3
  Write the letters of the alphabet onto magnet strips with permanent markers, leaving space between the letters so that you can cut them apart later. Repeat the entire alphabet at least three times.
- 4
  Write letter pairs (e.g., "th"), called diagraphs onto magnet strips with permanent markers, again leaving space between the diagraphs to allow for cutting.
- 5
  Write high-frequency words onto magnet strips with permanent markers, allowing space for cutting.
- 6
  Allow ink to dry and then cut the letters, diagraphs and words into individual magnet pieces.
- 7
  Arrange the magnet pieces around the edges of the magnetic message board.

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